During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Japanese manufacturers were producing some of the finest vintage electric guitar replicas in the world. Among the most legendary of these is the Tokai "Springy Sound." Highly sought after by players and collectors alike, these instruments are celebrated for their incredible build quality and an obsessive attention to historical accuracy that forced American manufacturers to radically rethink their own production standards.
This 1982 ST-50 is a superb recreation of a 1954/1955 Stratocaster. It features a resonant, multi-piece Sen Ash body finished in a beautiful, classic 2-Tone Sunburst. True to mid-50s specifications, the guitar is equipped with a single-ply white pickguard and a one-piece Maple neck with a comfortable, slightly chunky "V-to-C" profile that fills the hand perfectly without feeling cumbersome.
The guitar is loaded with its original Tokai "U" stamped single-coil pickups, which are highly regarded for their authentic vintage chime. They deliver a glassy, articulate top-end and a woody, percussive snap that perfectly captures the spirit of the early fifties. The original 3-way pickup selector switch remains intact, offering a truly period-correct playing experience.
This 1982 example is in fantastic, honest condition. It shows some light cosmetic play wear but generally is a super clean example of an early Springy Sound.
This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
